David Campbell’s study of America’s religious attitudes and institutions has revealed a surprising mix of polarization and tolerance. Offering a mix of historical sweep and detailed narrative, American Grace follows the decline of religious observance in the 1960s, its resurgence in the 1970s and ’80s with the rise of evangelicalism and the Religious Right, and the exodus of young people from organized religion in the 1990s. A reviewer for Publishers Weeklyapplauded authors Campbell and Putnam for persuasively arguing two apparent contradictory theses: “First, that a ‘new religious fault line’ exists in America, a deep political polarization that has transcended denominationalism as the greatest chasm in religious life; and second, that the culture is becoming so much more accepting of diversity that the first thesis will not tear the country apart.”

Residents and friends of Middle broke out into a wicked jam session in preparation for the drum circle performance held at the Goose Nest a few days later. Anyone passing by was encouraged to hop in with a makeshift instrument. Sick rhythms could be heard all the way across the campus green.